Catholic Church Denounces Doctrine of Discovery

Most people would agree that unchecked imperialism is bad policy and violates a long list of human rights. However, most people do not realize that aggressive imperialism was promoted by the Catholic Church using what became the Doctrine of Discovery.

The following quote summarizes the Doctrine of Discovery:

Papal Bulls of the 15th century gave Christian explorers the right to claim lands they ‘discovered’ and lay claim to those lands for their Christian Monarchs. Any land that was not inhabited by Christians was available to be ‘discovered’, claimed, and exploited. If the ‘pagan’ inhabitants could be converted, they might be spared. If not, they could be enslaved or killed. (Doctrine of Discovery.org)

Here is another quote in support:

The origins of the doctrine can be traced to Pope Nicholas V’s issuance of the Papal Bull Romanus Pontifex in 1452. The bull allowed Portugal to claim and conquer lands in West Africa. Pope Alexander VI extended to Spain the right to conquer newly-found lands in 1493, with the papal bull Inter caetera, after Christopher Columbus had already begun doing so. Arguments between Portugal and Spain led to the Treaty of Tordesillas which clarified that only non-Christian lands could thus be taken, as well as drawing a line of demarcation to allocate potential discoveries between the two powers. LINK

On or about November 3, 2016, the Catholic Church is reported to have performed a public ceremony at Standing Rock, North Dakota (LINK), that denounced this doctrine and serves as confirmation that the Catholic Church has recognized atrocities committed against indigenous peoples.